AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC were too slick for 10-man Tasman United as the old stagers swept the competition newcomers aside 4-0 at Kiwitea Street.
The Navy Blues got off to a flyer when Emiliano Tade scored after just six minutes after Tasman sat back too deep and from there it became a tough ask.
Tasman United struggled to create any clear-cut chances their biggest threat coming from set-pieces but their delivery from corners in a swirling wind made life tough for Enaut Zubikarai who chose to punch almost exclusively.
But the game started to slip out of the visitor's reach when Tade split the Tasman United defence open with a slick through ball to set Ryan De Vries free on 23 minutes.
Goalkeeper Coey Turipa was off his line quickly but De Vries out-thought the Tasman gloveman to clip a beautiful shot over his head into an empty net to double the lead.
The visitors were shaken and could've lost a third goal when Alfie Rogers was bundled over in the penalty area three minutes later.
Referee Peter Linney had earlier turned down what looked a decent shout for a spot-kick when Joao Moreira was taken out by Daniel Allan but there was no doubt about this decision.
But, Moreira, usually so dependable from the penalty mark, made a complete hash of the kick sending the ball a foot wide of Turipa's left hand upright.
Auckland City FC's domination of possession combined with their slick ball speed meant Tasman United spent vast tracts of the first half trying to block passing lanes.
Although he had few opportunities to shine, Tasman United's Ermal Hajdari looks a genuine threat with his pace and technique in the attacking third.
Any hope Tasman United had of getting a foothold back in the game evaporated when Darren White stabbed home the third on the hour mark from a Fabrizio Tavano corner.
When Bertie Fish saw his second caution with 22 minutes still to play the visitors went into damage limitation mode.
Moreira took full advantage of the extra space created by Fish' departure and swept home the fourth after good work by Alfie Rogers down the left just moments later.
With the result beyind doubt for the Navy Blues, coach Ramon Tribulietx gave game time to Nicolai Berry, Reid Drake and Harry Edge.
Chasing a lost cause, Tasman created their best chance when Hajdari broke clear before cutting back a cross with no Tasman player able to take advantage.
The win gives Auckland City FC their second of the season and back-to-back 4-0 victories that send out a clear signal of intent to the chasing field.
Coach Ramon Tribulietx was very satisfied with the result and performance.
"Overall this was a very good game from us. We started off well and played some very good football, dominated compeltely and created chances.
"Maybe in the last 20 minutes some things popped up for us that shouldn't but thats understandable when you dominate. This is another game down the road for us and we need to keep going," he said.
Tribulietx downplayed Moreira's first half penalty miss and instead emphasised the way the team played.
"We played exactly the same after the penalty miss. We carried on playing our style and I think we've been working on differences in how we position ourselves with and without the ball.
"Its beginning to be understood by our players and we're getting comfortable with it. It gives us a different dynamism and a different dimension to our game.
"Today we got four goals but we created a good number of chances in the first and second half and I thought the way the team played collectively was very good," he said.
The Navy Blues next match is another home game this time with Canterbury United.
The game is scheduled for Sunday 6 November, 2016, at Kiwitea Street, kick-off 3pm.
Ends
Match Result
Stirling Sports Premiership
Saturday 29 October, 2016
Auckland City FC 4 (Emiliano Tade 6', Ryan De Vries 23', Darren White 59', Joao Moreira 72')
Tasman United 0
Halftime: 2-0
Bertie Fish (TU) sent off on 70 minutes
Sun 20 October 2024, v Western Suburbs, Endeavour Park, 1.30pm
Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 | |
2 | NC | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 5 | |
3 | WP | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
4 | WO | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
5 | CS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 4 | |
6 | BU | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 4 | |
7 | CT | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
8 | ES | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | |
9 | WS | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 3 | |
10 | WE | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 1 |